Broadcast Delivered HLS System

Abstract

A method is provided that broadcasts channels to set top boxes (STB), processes them, and makes them available in ABR streaming format to clients in a home network. The method includes the steps of: transmitting a plurality of streams for each channel broadcast, wherein each stream is at a different bitrate and is segmentable into chunks; receiving the plurality of streams for one or more channels at the STB; and storing a plurality of segmentable chunk durations for each of the plurality of streams for each channel received. In some embodiments, HLS is packaged as MPEG transport without a manifest file, and a set top box (STB) caches HLS chunks for at least the consumer's most viewed channels, reducing acquisition time of those HLS streams. The STB reconstitutes the HLS playlist and chunks for delivery throughout the home.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of broadcasting channels to set top boxes (STB) in a home network, the method comprising:
 transmitting a plurality of streams for each channel broadcast, wherein each stream is at a different bitrate and is segmentable into chunks;   receiving the plurality of streams for one or more channels at the STB; and storing a plurality of segmentable chunk durations for each of the plurality of streams for each channel received.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein transmitting a plurality of streams at different bit rates for each channel includes at least two streams at lower bit rates. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein transmitting a plurality of streams at lower bit rates for each channel includes at least one stream at high bit rate and resolution. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the stored plurality of segmentable chunk durations for each of the plurality of streams for each channel received are limited to the last M channels requested or the M most frequently requested channels. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the stored plurality of segmentable chunk durations for each of the plurality of streams for each channel received are limited to those bitrate streams that are needed as a function of client device types, or the device location within the home network. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each chunk starts with an anchor frame that is aligned in time across the plurality of streams for each channel, and lasts a predetermined time duration. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the predetermined time duration is between 0.5 and 12 seconds. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the segmentable streams include additional hinting information to assist in segmenting those streams into ABR chunks as requested by the client device. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the segmentable streams include additional hinting information including profile bitrates and other parameters to assist in creating manifest files required by the ABR protocol requested by the client device. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 encrypting the plurality of streams at different bit rates for each channel using traditional broadcast conditional access.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 selecting a channel to view in the home network, and upon selecting the channel, decrypting and processing the plurality of streams at different bit rates for the channel into a requested ABR chunk format.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 selecting a channel to view in the home network, and upon selecting the channel, processing the plurality of streams at different bit rates for the channel into a requested ABR chunk format.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 building a set of playlists according to one or more ABR formats.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 encrypting the ABR chunks, and implementing a key management system to provide encryption keys or key material to client devices.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein at least one ABR format is HLS. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein at least one ABR format is DASH. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the STB is configured to act as a server for the playlists, media segments, and key related files to client devices in the home network. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein a client device requests access to a stream at a bit rate for a channel and accesses the stored plurality of chunk durations for the stream at a time later than the plurality of chunk durations were stored. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the client device accesses the files served by the STB, and processes playlists, media segment files, and key related files to decrypt, decode, and present content at the client device. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of streams for each channel include hint data in an MPEG program table descriptor that can be used by a client device for the creation of ABR playlists.